Tattoo Removal as a Beauty Professional
In some states, licensed beauty professionals can provide tattoo removal. It could be a great time to enter that field, too. The number of people who have tattoos seems to be on the rise, with 32% of adults having at least one as of 2023. About one-fourth of those with tattoos say they regret at least one of them, and they may want to have those removed..
That's where you could come in.
Read on to learn who can perform tattoo removal, what training you need, and the skills a successful practitioner has.
Who Can Perform Tattoo Removal
There are several types of tattoo removal, and that can affect who can provide those services. For instance, estheticians mightbe allowed to perform laser tattoo removal – the most common type. However, they certainly can't perform surgical excisions!
While tattoo removal laws vary by state, there are a few general career categories for tattoo removal specialists:
- Cosmetologists
- Electrologists
- Estheticians
- Laser hair removal specialists
- Physicians and other highly trained medical professionals
- Other trained people
- More-or-less anyone (yes, really)
As such, tattoo removal licensure or certification may be overseen by your state's cosmetology board, medical board, or health department.
When we say "more-or-less anyone," we mean that. Some states have no training requirements for people who want to perform tattoo removals.
Generally speaking, tattoo artists, including permanent makeup specialists, cannot provide removal services without additional training.
Laws about who can perform tattoo removal can always change. For example, as of early 2025, Utah is considering new tattoo removal specialist licensing requirements.
Where Tattoo Removal Specialists Work
People who perform tattoo removal typically work in medical facilities – especially dermatology offices – or medspas.
Tattoo Removal Training
There aren't national regulations for tattoo removal training, and it can be hard to figure out what your state needs, as many of them don't publish the information.
And even if the requirements are published, they can vary widely. For instance, California bans estheticians and other beauty professionals from performing laser tattoo removal (unless they're also specific types of medical professionals). Meanwhile, Oregon allows certified advanced estheticians to perform non-ablative tattoo removal, which is covered in the larger curriculum.
If you're unsure and can't find the information through state channels, you have a few options:
- Contact the state and ask. Your state's health department, medical board, or board of cosmetology may be good places to start. If they can't answer your question, they can likely guide you to someone who can.
- Look at tattoo removal job listings. Even if they don't mention laws, you can get an idea of what's expected in your area.
- Contact a tattoo removal school. These schools must ensure they meet your state's regulations, so they should have information. (Don't just look at the website! The information may be out of date.)
Should I Get Tattoo Removal Training if I Don't Have To?
Yes, you should get trained in removing tattoos, even if your state doesn't require it. Firstly, there's the risk of physical harm. Tattoo removal is a delicate and potentially dangerous process wherein clients could get infections or scars. Secondly, employers may be more interested in hiring you if you come in knowing how to do the job.
Tattoo Removal Skills
Tattoo removal specialists need to understand the business, health, and human sides of their craft and be able to act accordingly.
Business skills include marketing yourself, working well with others, and providing excellent customer service.
When it comes to health, you need to know how the procedures work, what risks are associated with them, and how to communicate all that to clients. You also need to be able to provide the services effectively.
Then, there's the human part. Tattoo removal can be highly emotional. People get tattoos for many reasons, some of which can relate to a meaningful part of their lives. Even if they're happy to move past the "why" for the tattoo, the removal may be overwhelming. You may need to serve as a listening ear and have a lot of patience.